This is the most magical book I have ever read. And I have read Harry Potter, mind me. It is short, and beautiful on its own way. It is, for me, the definition of a story.

In my opinion, it does not convey any central or grand idea, it does not focus on any social or political issue, it is not a children's tale, it is not an adult's book, it is not a futuristic or adventurous novel. It is a story. A beautifully written story that does not need big cities, starships, or exciting new worlds with magnificent beasts and terrifying dangers; it does not even need more than eight characters. It is only the story of a scared little boy who loves reading, hiding and, most importantly of all, Batman.

It does not explain things that are not pertinent to the plot. It is as if Gaiman is trying to accurately represent the mind of a seven year old boy: someone who cares and pays attention only to the things that matter here and now. No worrying, no wondering; just living, breathing, and doing the right thing, even if he doesn't really understand what it means sometimes. The writer does not even give the child a name. Why would a seven year old boy introduce himself? He would just assume everyone either knows his name, or is not connected to him and therefore has no reason for wanting to know it.

On a second thought, maybe it does reference one big, important, but hidden truth. One everyone wants to run away from: "Adults follow paths. Children explore." I don't think anyone who does not have a bit of a child inside himself can truly appreciate this story. "Books were safer than other people anyway", says the narrator. I think many people have slowly forgotten what it meant to lose oneself inside a story. I think many people have just grown up. This idea is conveyed in Ocean with a touch of sadness and melancholy. I think Neil Gaiman agrees with me.

I want to be able to inmerse myself in a book. To explore the characters's minds deeply, to live in their shoes for a while, to leave mine behind. Neil Gaiman does this for me. His story stands on its own. It needs no context, no additional knowledge, not even more than 200 pages, or 2 hours of reading.